Mont Vernon police got their goat, but they don't want it

Mont Vernon police have released this photograph of a stray goat that has been taken in by a local resident. Authorities are urging the goat's owner to come forward and claim the animal. (COURTESY)

MONT VERNON - Local authorities have had their hands full with a runaway goat that has finally been captured - for the second time this week.

However, police are still searching for the owner of the black and brown goat they fear might escape again if it isn't returned home soon.

On Monday, Police Chief Kyle Aspinwall responded to 124 Francestown Turnpike when a local resident had found a stray goat inside of their garage. Police said the goat tried to headbutt the chief during its apprehension, but Aspinwall was not injured. An undisclosed resident agreed to keep the goat until its owner came forward, but the goat subsequently escaped, according to Sgt. Aaron Daigneault.

"The goat was again on the loose, but it was eventually found and it is now being detained by another local resident," said Daigneault. "No one has claimed it yet."

The goat does have a collar around its neck, but police say there is no identification on it.

"I assume the goat is local," he said, adding someone must be missing the animal. "The goat will be kept until we can reunite them."

Police have posted a photograph of the animal being transported in the back of a police cruiser on the department's Facebook page, and according to Daigneault, it has since gone viral. While the situation seems humorous, police say they seriously want to get the goat home as soon as possible since it continuously tries to escape. The animal is not believed to be sick, he added.

This isn't the first time local police have had to deal with a stray animal. A few years ago, a bull escaped and was wandering around Mont Vernon before it was successfully captured.

Anyone with information about the mysterious goat is asked to contact local police at 673-5610.